Meet our Admin Team

The 2026-27 academic year marks my 19th year in education, and I am proud to say that all of those years have been spent within Prince William County Public Schools. Throughout my career, I have worn various hats: from a dedicated 3rd-grade teacher to an Instructional Technology Coach, and most recently, as an assistant principal. These experiences have shaped my educational philosophy and deepened my commitment to student success.

As your principal, I am committed to academic excellence. I believe that every student deserves the opportunity to grow and excel academically and will work beside the outstanding staff at Antietam to foster a safe, positive, and nurturing environment where student centered learning is at the forefront.

I am passionate about family and community engagement and look forward to building meaningful relationships that impact student learning. I am dedicated to earning and maintaining your trust through clear and consistent communication that focuses on student learning and creates opportunities for open dialogue.

A little about me personally: I grew up in a military home with my father serving in the Army. We moved around a lot, but I call Virginia and Prince William County home. I am a proud graduate of PWCS, having lived in this area for 24 years. I earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in educational leadership from George Mason University. I love spending time with my wife, our dog Apollo, and fishing.

My door is always open, and I encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. I am excited to embark on this journey together. Go Mighty Mustangs! 

Your partner in education,

Chris McManus
[email protected] 

Michelle Bartlett, Administrative Assistant

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! I hope your summer was filled with fun and memorable moments with your loved ones. We are thrilled to welcome you back for another year of learning and growth.

I am grateful and excited to continue this journey with you as your Assistant Principal. With over 20 years in education and five years working with children and adolescents on mental health prior to that, I bring a wealth of experience to our school community. Many of you know me and my three children—one in elementary and two in middle school—all of whom have attended Antietam Elementary.

This year, our staff will focus on fostering a growth mindset for both them and our students. We believe in the power of continuous learning and resilience, no matter the challenges we face.

Our dedicated staff is already preparing for a productive school year. The office team is busy registering new families and updating student files, while our custodians have worked hard to ensure our facilities are ready for face-to-face instruction. Our wonderful PTA is also gearing up to welcome families and offer exciting events and programs.

We are a joyous and caring community with the common goal of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high-level learning.

Warm regards,

Mr. Mahalchick
[email protected] 

Hello Antietam families! I’m thrilled to be at Antietam Elementary School as your Assistant Principal. I’m a proud wife of an Army veteran and a mom to our son and daughter, both of which are two amazing “twenty-something” adults. Our family also has a sweet Shih Tzu, Coco Bean.

With over thirty years of experience in education, I have worked in several roles over the years as a 5^th grade teacher, 4^th grade teacher, 2^nd grade teacher, specialist roles and most recently as a reading teacher over the last 11 years. This will be my 26^th year as a professional educator in Prince William County Public Schools. I believe in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child can thrive and develop a love of learning. I am excited to support the mission and vision of our school with the knowledge and skills I have gained over my career as an educator.

We at Antietam are committed to student achievement and encourage students to be curious, knowledgeable, and caring. I’m here to support our students, teachers, and families in every way possible, and I’m excited to be part of the Antietam Elementary School community. Let’s make this school year fantastic together!

Yours in education,

Gisele D. Estrada
[email protected]